vice president biden to lead a specific task force to develop responses to the tragedy at not only sandy hook elementary school, but the daily tragedies we see all across america. the nation's mayors and vice president biden have stood together for many, many years in support of public safety. after all, it was then-senator joe biden who championed the crime bill, which established the cops program, and included the ban on assault weapons and large-capacity magazines which congress unfortunately allowed to expire. yesterday i was certainly personally very proud to be in the white house, with president obama and vice president biden, unveiled a strong, comprehensive package, legislative, regulatory reform needed to responsible to the ongoing gun violence in america's cities and suburbs. every day, mayor's -- americas mayors see the carnage from assault weapons. we will make sure that the changes needed to protect our children are made. ladies and gentlemen of the u.s. conference of mayors, please join me in welcoming back our great friend, vice president joe biden. [applause] >> thank you